The Alpine hamlet of Thredbo has once again turned on a great weekend for the annual charity motorbike festival, the 2012 Honda Snowy Ride.

Hosted by the Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation, the ride raises money for research into a cure for children’s cancer and saw 2,812 riders take part.

Long term sponsor Honda Motorcycles provided the main prize of a Honda VFR 1200X valued at $25,000 which was won by Robert Heywood from the ACT.

Another highlight was a $10,000 cheque presented to the Foundation as part of its continued support of the Snowy Ride and SWCCF.

Since its inception in 2000, the Snowy Ride has raised in excess of $5 million for research into children’s cancer and its side effects.

Director of SWCCF, who earlier this year was awarded an AM for her contribution to fundraising for children’s cancer research, Susan Walter, said the ride had been a fantastic success.

“The riding was great, the conditions were perfect and the company has been even better.

“Plenty of riders took the opportunity to ride from the Moto GP in Phillip Island last weekend to take part in the Snowy Ride this weekend.

“We’ve also been delighted to have seven families from the Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick Oncology Ward and one family from Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne with us this weekend for a family break. The kids have had a ball taking helicopter rides, bike rides, tobogganing and enjoying some much needed time out with their families,” she said.

Riders taking part in the Snowy Ride have the option to cover approximately 330Kms of scenic roads and visit any of the eight checkpoints in Adaminaby, Dalgety, Berridale, Jindabyne, Cooma, Bombala, Charlotte Pass and Thredbo.
There is also a mass ride into Thredbo with hundreds of bikes taking part before the presentation of prizes.

The Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation was started following the passing of nineteen year old Steven Walter after an eight year battle with cancer. The Foundation raises money for research into childhood cancer and the side effects of cancer treatment in children.

Each week in Australia three children lose their lives to cancer and many who do survive will have chronic health problems as a direct result of their treatments. All money raised by the Foundation goes to childhood cancer research programs and support of children with cancer.

For more information on SWCCF visit www.stevenwalterfoundation.org.au or like us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/stevenwalterfoundation or www.facebook.com/snowyride .